From time to time, we like to review some of the books available for parents of college students. There is a wealth of literature available to help parents cope with the transition to college and the changes that occur throughout the college years. We’ve offered some recommended reading, and there is something for everyone. See the Recommended Reading section of our Resources page for more suggestions.
The problem with There Is Life After College, by Jeffrey Selingo, is the title. This sounds like a good book for a college senior to pick up for after graduation advice. The subtitle helps: What Parents and Students Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow. If parents and students take time to read the subtitle, they will understand that this is a book that should be read well before college graduation. It is a book that both parents and students should read, and talk about together, while they are in high school – and then again several times during college.
One of the things we like about There Is Life After College is that it is a book for everyone. High school students should read it to understand that, as the author states, “What you do in college is more important than where you go to college.” During that stressful college decision time, students would do well to think about how they plan to maximize their experience at the colleges they are considering. College students and recent graduates should consider, “To thrive in your career, don’t treat college or your job as a spectator sport.” As parents read There Is Life After College, they should think about their student’s strengths and challenges. The many specific descriptions in the book will help them to understand, and then motivate, their student. Parents will also be reminded that the world of college and career today is not the world they entered.
is a book for parents and students alike. We initially decided to review this book as something for parents to pass along to their students – as they begin college or move on to career. However, we quickly discovered this is a useful book for parents as well.
was written with a focus toward higher education professionals, but should be read by parents of these students as well. As parents, we know our students intimately as individuals, but we don’t often think about the overview of the entire generation to which they belong. Generation Z Goes to College helps parents see their students in the context of their generation.
by Kelly Radi is an easy-to-read, helpful book for parents about to send their child off to college. Radi uses the metaphor of a ship setting sail to help parents understand, and become more comfortable with, the process of helping their child start out, and succeed, in college.